It’s official: Sounders FC has clinched a playoff berth for a fifth straight year

The Sounders have clinched a playoff berth amid a four-game losing streak. Maybe not the ideal way, but it all counts the same.

Seattle has to give some thanks to the Los Angeles Galaxy for the final push, as L.A. held San Jose to a 0-0 tie Sunday to all but ensure a Western Conference postseason field of Portland, Real Salt, the Galaxy, Sounders FC and Colorado. The Earthquakes must score at least 12 goals in their final game to make up a big difference in a potential tiebreaker with the Rapids.

The Sounders have clinched a playoff berth all five years as an MLS franchise. The only team with a longer active streak is Real Salt Lake, which has made the postseason the last six years.

The key for Seattle, of course, is rediscovering its form and making sure this just doesn’t mean the season continues for one more game.

So what do you think? Does this feel similar to U.S. national team keeping Mexico’s World Cup hopes alive?